Map of England showing where the Mawdsley arms are recorded
The Mawdsley arms were recorded in Lancaster, c. 1664.
Lancashire was divided among a great many small landed families, more than most northern counties. Estates were passed down whole rather than split up, so the same names hold the same ground for centuries in the records.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
Charles II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in England when the Mawdsley arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Lancaster.
Origin & History of the Mawdsley Family in England
The surname Mawdsley originates from a specific place name in Lancashire, England, known as Mawdesley. During the medieval period, it was common for families to adopt the name of the village or township where they lived. The name itself likely comes from Old English words meaning the clearing or meadow belonging to a person named Maud. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family had established a firm presence in the Lancaster area. Records from 1664 show members of the family living and working within this region, which was a significant hub for trade and administration in Northwest England. Over the centuries, the spelling shifted slightly from the original place name to the modern version used today, reflecting the way names were written down by local clerks and officials.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Maudes-leah
A clearing or meadow belonging to a person named Maud.
This name
MawdsleyDerived from a locational surname referring to a specific meadow associated with a woman named Maud.
also spelled
Maudesley
Mawdsley
Maudsley
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Ekwall, Eilert. The Place-Names of Lancashire. 1922
Farrer, William and Brownbill, John. A History of the County of Lancaster. 1906
Lancashire Archives, Records of the Lancaster Parish Church, PR 3050
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chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
axeThe execution of military duty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
axeThe execution of military duty
